[no obj.]catch one's breath with an open mouth, owing to pain or astonishment (因疼痛或惊讶而)喘气 a woman gasped in horror at the sight of him. 一位妇女一看到他就吓得倒抽一口气。 ■[with obj.]say (something) while catching one's breath, especially as a result of strong emotion (因情绪激动而)喘着气说 Jeremy gasped out an apology. 杰里米结结巴巴地道了歉。 [with direct speech]‘It's beautiful!’ she gasped, much impressed. “太美了!"她惊叹道。 ■(gasp for)strain to obtain (air or breath) by gasping 大口喘气(以获得空气或呼吸) she surfaced and gasped for air. 她浮到水面大口地呼吸空气。 ■(be gasping for)(figurative, informal)be desperate to obtain or consume; crave (喻,非正式)急切地想得到(或使用);渴望 I'm gasping for a drink!. 我多想喝一杯啊!。
noun
a convulsive catching of breath (急促的)呼吸 his breath was coming in gasps. 他喘得上气不接下气。
常用词组 one's (或 the) last gasp
the point of exhaustion, death, or completion 精疲力竭;奄奄一息;最后一刻 the last gasp of the cold war. 冷战的最后时刻。
语源
late Middle English: from Old Norse geispa 'to yawn'